Keep air vents clear of furniture and appliances so your furnace can work more efficiently.

Did you know that heat recovery ventilators improve indoor air quality by expelling stale indoor air continuously and use its heat to pre-heat the incoming fresh air? Installing one of these may give you the added savings you're looking for on your next energy bill.

Avoid heating areas that are not insulated, such as a garage, crawlspace, attic or storage sheds.

Consider installing a fireplace thermostat to help control your room temperature.

To check if a door provides good insulation, place your hand on it from the inside. If it feels cooler than the inside walls, it might be time to install a door that's better insulated. Install fully insulated doors on all entrances to garages, cold storage rooms and un-insulated basements.

Not ready to replace your furnace? A tune-up can save on your next heating bill. Don't forget to clean or replace your furnace filter regularly for even more savings.

Clear plastic sheeting on your windows can add more insulation and reduce icy drafts with minimal effort and minimal cost.

Cranking up the heat to warm the house quickly doesn't work. The house will warm up at the same rate, regardless of the temperature setting.

Don't lose heated air up your chimney! The chimney acts like an open window. Be sure your damper is closed when the fireplace is not in use. Check the seal on the flue damper and make it's as snug as possible. Consider installing tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warm air into the room.

When you do use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening the dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly and close the doors into the room. Lower your thermostat setting to between 10-13°C.

Open the drapes or blinds on sunny days and bask in the 'free' heat. Keep those south-facing windows squeaky clean to let the light through. Remember to close the drapes or blinds when the sun sets.

Adding a humidifier to your heating system may allow you to turn your thermostat down and be comfortable at lower temperatures. PS: Aquariums and houseplants can add humidity too.